The Stages of Alzheimer’s fall into three major phases and seven sub-phases.
The three main phases of Alzheimer’s include the no-cognitive disorder phases, early dementia, and late dementia. Within these, we have more individualistic phases, which you should note.
Also, in all stages of dementia, what are you to expect? What should you do in these phases?
We have provided exact details you need to observe strictly to avoid being hopeless if you encounter such a situation.
Stages of Alzheimer’s: What To Expect and What To Do
1. The Early stage/ No Cognitive Decline
1. No Cognitive Impairment
In this stage, the individual is least observant of any form of cognitive decline because there might be no sign.
However, the victim might have a medical report showing early symptoms of the disease. Alzheimer’s is most popular among older citizens, but there are very rare cases of the disease affecting individuals from 35 to 40 years old.
Individuals in this phase require no external help and can function independently.
2. Slight Cognitive Impairment
The victims experience some signs of a slight cognitive decrease. They forget things easily, but this forgetfulness is mild and unnoticeable to the relatives. Individuals in this stage can still perform tasks comfortably and independently.
Individuals that notice these symptoms should begin now to plan. All legal and financial works should be in place for the future.
3. Mild Cognitive Decline
Stage three of Alzheimer’s spans between 2-7 years. In this phase, they begin to experience more challenges in performing cognitive tasks.
For example, forgetting becomes more sporadic, increasing concentration problems.
They also forget their locations more often and face challenges recalling the right word.
To assist loved ones in this stage, you can frequently be reminding them of all essential and urgent details. These things include bills to pay, appointments, or even important events.
In addition, the individual should regularly see the doctor and seek more medical consultation.
2. The Moderate Stage/ Moderate Cognitive Decline
4. Moderate Dementia
The moderate stage is more of a denial phase as the victims may disagree with having the disease. More often, they’d experience mood swings and personality changes.
AD victims become more rigid with changes and express more dislike for any abrupt changes.
Usually, this stage spans 2 years, and this is when physicians will begin to notice a more cognitive problem while medically examining the victims.
Individuals in this stage will face more problems remembering the dates, times, and days; experience increased anxiety, depression, and irritabilities.
To assist your loved ones in this phase, you can help them with their daily tasks and activities. This is because people in this phase are more prone to financial fraud risks.
Thus, you can assist them in their finances.
5. Slightly Severe Dementia
This stage spans a year and a half, and the individuals will require more help with their daily activities.
Either a relative will need to come live with them, or they’d need to move to a memory care home.
Individuals in this stage will even forget how to bathe, get lost more often, and struggle with their clothes.
To help individuals in this phase, you can help them plan out their clothing for the forth-coming day, even help them dress up.
In addition, when the individual repetitively asks the same question (which is more frequent in this stage), respond positively. This is because they are more liable to frustration in this phase.
3. The Late-Stage Dementia
6. Severe Cognitive Decline
In this stage, the victim will recognize the face of relatives but not recall their names.
Also, they might consider you as a different person, as they’d begin to mix the name and characters of their friends and relatives.
This phase usually spans two and a half years, and the individuals will experience increased hallucinations.
The victims will experience increased mood swings, trouble sleeping, more problems speaking, bladder problems, challenges dressing up.
Also, they will face problems feeding themselves and going to use the bathroom.
So ensure to increase help in dressing them up, caring for them. One effective way to calm them is to read to them, listen to music, and go through old pictures together. These help in refreshing their memories.
7. Late Cognitive Impairment/Full Dementia
This is the most severe stage of AD, and it transmits to dementia. This stage spans from an average of one and a half years to two and a half years.
In this stage, the victim will require 24 hours’ attention and support, as they won’t be able to speak, lose motor skills, and will require most help with daily tasks.
You might need additional help or an efficient long-term care facility with constant care in this stage.
Should the individual show symptoms of dementia, then go for consultations with your doctor.
Conclusion
The stages of Alzheimer’s disease are mild, early, and late-stage dementia. They are progressive and are very grim.
Assisting a person with AD is very necessary because, as time proceeds, they will experience more decline in their cognitive abilities.
If it comes to a point where you can’t do it all by yourself, seek medical and professional help.